75 Places To Visit With Teens In The North East

Updated 2026

I published this post in 2017 when my eldest was a teenager. I have updated this post for 2026 and have included a few places we have visited that my tweens (aged 12 and 11) have visited recently and enjoyed. 

If you have older children (tweens and teens) and you are looking for days out here in the North East then I have complied a list of 75 places to visit with teens in the North East. From big days out at theme parks to local days out playing mini golf to adventures in the trees at Go Ape to relaxing activities like pottery painting. Hopefully there will be something for everyone and it gives you some inspiration on things to do with teens and older kids. 

1.) Cat Cafe 

At the start of the year, we visited Catpawcino cat cafe on Newcastle's Quayside. My teen loved visiting here and spending time with the cats whilst enjoying a hot chocolate and cake. there is also another cat cafe in Newcastle called You Meow. 

2.) Go Ape 

We visited Go Ape in Matfen, Northumberland and my teen loved it! It is an activity the whole family can join in with or teens can even do it themselves if they are over 16 years old. 

3.) Visit a Gaming Lounge

There are a few gaming lounges here in the North East that are great fun. We have been to CTRL Pad in Newcastle and the Arcade Warehouse at Royal Quays in North Shields to name a few.  

4.) Trampoline Park

We are spoilt for choice with trampoline parks here in the North East and they are perfect for teens. We have visited Airbox Bounce in Cramlington and Jump 360 in Benton. 

5.) Tynemouth Surf 

If your child is into water sports then you can enrol them onto surfing lessons at Tynemouth Surf in North Tyneside. Full details can be found via their website www.tynemouthsurf.co.uk

6.) Paintballing

My son loves paintballing and has been to Delta Force near Cramlington a few times. 

7.) Parkland Mini Golf - Gosforth 

Located at Gosforth Park, Parklands mini golf is open 7 days a week and with children's prices at just £4pp and adults at £5pp and family tickets for £15, it is a great way to spend a few hours. Full details can be found at www.parklandsgolf.co.uk

8.) Newcastle Castle 

I keep meaning to take my daughter to Newcastle Castle, as the views from the top are said to be spectacular, great for teens Instagram photos! They also run a lot of events which may be of interest to teenagers. 

9.) Dog Cafe 

Newcastle has its very own dog cafe called Dog and Scone, we visited last year and it was lovely. 

10.) Active Reality 

Active Reality is fun for the whole family, it is a VR gaming experience and is brilliant. There is one on the west road in Newcastle and I highly recommend. (will post a review soon). 

11.) Puffin Cruise - Amble 

You can take a boat trip from Amble Harbour to Coquet Island where you can see 40,000 sea birds -including Puffins. You could then spend the day in Amble and enjoy some fish and chips while at the coast. Details of the Puffin Cruises can be found at www.puffincruises.co.uk

12.) Escape Room

There are ton's of Escape rooms here in the North East from Pirate themed ones in Whitley Bay to plague ones in Newcastle. 

13.) Bowling 

With bowling allies all over the North East, it is a fun way to spend a few hours with friends or family.

14.) St James Park or Stadium Of Light Football Tour 

If you have a football mad teen than a stadium tour of their favourite club is sure to be something they will enjoy. You get to sit in the manager's chairs, have a look in the changing rooms as well as lots of other behind the scenes areas and experience lots of photo opportunities.

15.) Farne Island Boat Trip

If you head to Seahouses in Northumberland you can book to go on a boat trip to the Farne Islands, you can spot seals and Puffins and it really is a lovely experience.

16.) Laser Quest 

A game of Laser Quest is sure to be lots of fun for groups of family or friends, my teen recently visited the one in South Shields with her friends for a birthday.

17.) Forbidden Corner - North Yorkshire

Not technically in the North East but not far away in North Yorkshire is Forbidden corner a unique day out. You can read a review of Forbidden Corner by Rockandrollpussycat to get an idea of what of what it is, you do need to pre-book tickets before you visit.

18.) Durham River Cruise

You can go on a river cruise in Durham taking in the sites of the historic city, cruises last an hour. It would be a lovely activity to try whilst enjoying a day out in Durham. 

19.) Inflatable Course 

There are a number of Inflatable parks here in the North East that are great fun for teens and are similar to trampoline parks. 

20.) Kynren

Running on weekends during the summer Kynren is an experience not to be missed, we have visited twice and my teen really enjoyed the whole experience. 

21.) Teesside White Water Centre

This looks like so much fun with activities such as white water rafting, power boating, kayaking and canoeing to name just a few. Full details can be found at www.tbiwwc.com

22.) Victoria Tunnel - Newcastle

I really want to take my teen to visit the Victoria tunnel which is under Newcastle, as I think it will be really interesting.

23.) Ice Skating 

With rinks in Whitley Bay and Billingham, a day out ice skating is sure to be fun for teens.

24.) Cinema 

You can't beat a trip to the cinema and myself and my teen often go to see films together.

25.) Young Driver Lesson 

Earlier this year we reviewed Young Driver driving lessons at Gosforth Park Newcastle, my teen loved this lesson and I will certainly be booking her more in the future.

26.) Lane 7 - Newcastle 

With a bowling alley, mini golf course and a decent food menu this is somewhere I just know my teen will enjoy visiting and I really should take her.

27.) Pot a Doddle Do - Berwick

I love the idea of glamping and Pot-a-doodle-do in Berwick have cute huts you can stay in as well as a pottery painting studio on site. I am so tempted to book us an overnight stay here as it looks like a fun experience.

28.) Pottery Painting

Pottery painting is something that the whole family can enjoy and you get to take home a nice memento to keep. Canny Crafty in Gosforth is somewhere we are planning on visiting this summer.  

29.) Mini Golf

There are a few indoor mini golf places that look like fun such as Mr Mulligans Space Golf near the Gate in Newcastle and Junkyard golf in Newcastle. Treetop golf in the Metrocentre and the outdoor pirate golf in Morpeth are ones we enjoy. 

30.) Activate 

Activate in the Metrocentre is ideal for teens or a family activity. It has different gaming rooms where you have to complete challenges and we all loved it. (Will post a review soon). 

31.) Flight Simulator Experience 

The Flight Sim Centre in Brunswick Industrial Estate (near Newcastle airport) offer a range of different flight simulator experiences and are suitable for teenagers. Prices start from £49.99 and they even do birthday parties. Full details can be found at www.flightsimcentre.com

32.) High Force Waterfall - Durham 

Located at Forest-in-Teessdale in County Durham this waterfall is stunning and teens will love taking photos of it for social media.

33.) Go - Karting 

There are lots of go-karting tracks here in the North East which make a fun and exciting day out for teens (and parents). We have been to Teamsport in Newcastle a few times. 

34.) Battlekart

Battlekart near the Metrocentre is a cross between a video game and Go Karting. It is good fun and my son even had a birthday party here. (will post a review soon). 

35.) Beamish 

We love Beamish for a family day out and it is the one place we can go as a whole family that my teen enjoys just as much as my toddler.

36.) Point Blank Shooting 

In the holidays Point Blank in Newcastle do family shooting and it is good fun. They have screens with video games on and you can use a gun to shoot the zoombies. My children really enjoyed it. (will post a review). 

37.) Quayside Market 

We love a wander along the quayside market. We normally stop off for lunch somewhere after having a look at the stalls.

38.) Metrocentre 

Head to the MetroCentre for some shopping and really make a day of it, stop off for lunch and maybe even a trip to the cinema or arcades while you are there.

39.) Go For Pancakes

I don't know about your teenagers but mine loves going for Pancakes, from The dispensary in Newcastle to Love Lily's in Sunderland. 

40.) Swimming 

Swimming is always a cheap and cheerful day out with a range of different pools in the area to try out from local leisure centres the wave pool in Whitley Bay, an outdoor pool in Haltwhistle Northumberland and  fun pool at Prudhoe waterworld. 

41.) Silkworth Ski Slope - Sunderland

You can learn to ski and snowboard on the dry slopes here, with lessons available for those inexperienced skiers. Full details can be found at www.everyoneactive.com

42.) Pool and Darts 

My son loves darts and he has been to the cue and dart lounge in Cramlington which he really enjoyed. 

43.) Visit A Castle 

Living in the North East we have an abundance of castles in the region, so why not visit a castle with your teen and they might even learn some history while on a day out.

44.) Stargazing 

My daughter is really into star gazing so we are planning on booking a star gazing experience for her at Twice Brewed Inn in Northumberland. 

45.) Visit The Beach 

You can't beat a stroll along the beach and an ice cream or fish and chips, my teen loves doing this just as much as her little brother and sister do.

46.) Barter Books 

If your teen enjoys reading then a visit to Barter Books in Alnwick is a must. You can buy second hand books, enjoy a ice cream from the cafe next door and it is also just a lovely place to visit. 

47.) Play Interactive Darts 

The Wonderbar in Newcastle offers interactive Darts which anyone can play. They also serve food and drink and often have special offers on during the holidays if you check their website or social media channels. 

48.) Go For Lunch 

Sometimes just going for lunch somewhere your teen picks is a nice way to spend time, 9/10 my teen picks Nando's.

49.) Ocean Beach Fair - South Shield's

Ocean Beach fun fair in South Shields is a somewhere we often visit, my teen loves riding the rides and having fun.

50.) Alnwick Gardens

We love visiting Alnwick gardens as it is a lovely day out for the whole family to enjoy.

51.) Hartlepool Maritime 

The North's Maritime attraction is sure to be an interesting day out. 

52.) Kielder

Home to Northern Europe's largest man-made lake there is so much to discover at Kielder water and forest. From bike riding, water activities and adventure activities there is something for everyone.

53.) Spend the day in Newcastle

Spend the day in Newcastle shopping you can go for lunch or visit one of the many activities on offer in the city.

54.) Throw An Axe 

You can go Axe Throwing at Hatchett Harry's in Newcastle and teens can take part too and is something different to try. 

55.) Afternoon Tea

My daughter loves to go for afternoon tea, these days there are so many great ones available and we are planning on going for an Alice and Wonderland themed one at How Do You Do in North Shields. 

56.) Hadrian's Wall 

If your teen is into History then why not walk along Hadrians Wall with them or visit one of the Roman museums in the area. 

57.) Day Trip 

We love going on trips to nearby cities such as Edinburgh and York as they are only an hour away from Newcastle via train. 

58.) Gutterball

Gutterball in North Shields often has offers on where you can enjoy bowling, roller skating, pool and even karoke. 

59.) Tynemouth Market 

Having a wander around Tynemouth market on a Sunday is always something my teen enjoys doing.

60.)  All Out Adventure 

All Out Adventure in Northumberland do activities like quad biking, archery and clay pigeon shooting so something a bit different. 

62.) Horse Riding 

Horse riding can be great fun and most riding schools have special summer riding camps and offers on during the summer to get youngsters in the saddle. You can even go for treks in the Northumberland countryside and beaches with some centres. My 

daughter goes to Firtree Farm  (near Newcastle racecourse). 

63.) Play Football At Goals 

You can hire pitches at Goals at Newcastle racecourse if your teen fancies a kick about with family or friends on the all weather pitches. 

64.) Newcastle Climbing Centre

Active teens will have fun at Newcastle climbing centre who offer both in and outdoor climbing activities.  

65.) Visit Whickham Thorns Outdoor Activity Centre 

Run by the Scouts Whickham Thorns is open to the public at certain times and offers a range of pre-bookable activities such as climbing and snow tubing.

66.) Ninja Warrior 

Ninja Warrior in Teesside is just like the tv show, they even have a wall to see if you can climb. There is a big inflatable area as well as the obstacle course. (will write a review). 

67.) Walk an Alpaca 

Barnacre Alpaca's in Northumberland offer the chance to walk with an Alpaca for people over the age of 10 and it costs £25pp.  

68.) Visit a Theme Park 

We may not have any theme parks here in the North East but we are not far from Lightwater Valley and Flamingoland and they both make great day trips.

69.) Watch a Football Match

If your teen is into football you could book them a ticket to a football match and they can experience what a match day at St James Park is like. 

70.) Kielder Observatory 

I have always wanted to visit Kielder Observatory and think this would be such a memorable experience for anyone no matter what their age. 

71.) Visit a Ice Cream Parlour

Visit a ice cream parlour there are loads dotted around the North East, our favourites are Mimi's near the racecourse, Mark Toney's in Newcastle and Wheelbirks in Northumberland. 

72.) Alnwick Castle 

If you have a Harry Potter fan then they will love visiting Alnwick Castle and seeing where some of the film was filmed.

73.) Go Paddle Boarding  

Paddle Boarding is getting popular and looks like lots of fun and you can try it out at lots of different places in the North East, Adventure Northumberland offer Paddle Boarding throughout Northumberland. 

74.) Visit Seahouses

One thing my teen likes to do is visit Seahouses, she loves going for fish and chips, eating ice cream and visiting the little gift shops and arcades. 

75.) Visit The Theatre

I am always keeping an eye at what shows are on at our local theatre's as my teen loves to visit the theatre or go to concerts. We always get her tickets for something for her birthday or Christmas as it is something to look forward to.  

If you have any suggestions for places to visit with teens here in the North East do let me know in the comments below.